Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money

On this episode of Martinis and Your Money, I am talking once again to Elle Martinez, host of the Couple Money Podcast and author of the new book – Jump Start Your Marriage and Your Money, about the various challenges we’ve seen couples face and how they can improve them to improve both their romantic and financial lives. Whether you are in a relationship or not, there is plenty to learn from this episode. Cheers!

As a side note: the first Financial Gym location has opened in New York City at 226 5th Avenue, 5th Floor. Please stop by and have a drink with us if you are in the area or check out The Financial Gym online for its tools and resources to help you break free from your financial challenges and live a financially healthier life! We’ll kick your assets into shape!

What are we drinking?

Elle — a Strawberry Blonde

Shannon — Tito’s & tonic

Podcast Notes

Elle interviews couples on her podcast to learn how they handle their finances.

She says all financially successful couples have clarity on their goals.

Shannon says couples should define their goals and not let others define their goals for them.

Once you know what you want, set things up so you are moving towards your goal – automate your finances!

The book is a 4-week guide to build the financial life you want as a couple.

In her book, she encourages couples to have “money dates”.

Communication is extremely important if you want to be on the same financial page as your partner.

Shannon calls Elle the “Queen of Money Dates”.

Elle suggests celebrating financial wins at the beginning of the money date and then review your financial situation together – do both a big picture review and a month-to-month review.

Shannon asks Elle how she advises couples who fight when they discuss money together.

Money usually isn’t the problem; it is a symptom of something deeper within a marriage.

If you and your partner fight about money, Shannon suggests spending the time during your money dates discussing your goals in depth instead of money so you have a clear definition of where you want to go.

Once a goal is set, your money choices will revolve around that goal.

When looking at numbers, couples must remind themselves that even though they have a goal, they also need to be happy while achieving that goal.

The journey to achieving your goals as a couple is just as important as the end result!

TAKEAWAY: The start of any great relationship begins with a strong foundation – and money, whether we like to acknowledge it or not, is part of every relationship and needs to be a part of that foundation!

Shannon is a financial planner who left a “traditional” financial services firm to start her own company, The Financial Gym, because she felt traditional financial services firms did not have the tools or resources to help people in their 20s and 30s who are starting out and trying to build assets while also managing debt. She realized that the key to long-term personal financial success is a commitment to financial fitness and making smart financial choices.
Through her blog, Financially Blonde, her book, Train Your Way To Financial Fitness, her podcast, Martinis and Your Money and The Financial Gym, Shannon is committed to making financial fitness fun, easy and accessible for everyone.